Celebration Farm Wedding : Randi & Nate

At the end of August, we’re prepared for heat and humidity, but we’ve been in for a real treat this year with cooler temperatures, cool breezes, and gorgeous weather. It was actually cloudy that morning and the sun didn’t even start to peek out until mid afternoon. Having their entire wedding day in one location is always a special treat for me since it means that we don’t have to factor in any travel time in the middle of photos (so more time for pictures!) and I can unload everything just once. And a location like The Celebration Farm never disappoints. I love photographing out there and working with the staff there.

Randi and the rest of her ladies were finishing up hair and makeup while I grabbed gowns, shoes, jewelry, perfume, and paper suite items to photograph. Thanks to Borrow My Vintage, I had so many beautiful backdrops for the detail photos, from a perfectly color-coordinated rug to a brilliant blue velvet sofa. I adore shooting details, but especially when I have the space and background for them!

As advertised in their invitations, it was their best day ever. Randi & Nate had first met back when she was an 8th grader and he was a freshmen in high school. Their first date was a a few years later, at the young age of 16. This isn’t your traditional high school love story though. They talked a little bit in high school, but didn’t officially date until later on in college, even though they had never really stopped communicating. “In many ways we grew up together,” she says. “We have been through a lot. I guess if I had to say how I know Nate is the one is no matter what life as thrown at us over the last 9 years, our relationship has become stronger and grown from those experiences.”

He adds, “Very early on in our relationship we went through a ton of adversity, more than most would be able to make it out of. We were two young kids and our lives where going to change in a big, big way. Randi told me instantly after the news that I would have her full support going forward and we would make it through everything; together. I just remember thinking to myself how much and how true this love may really be to have such support.

“Little did she know that when she committed to me, I silently committed to her. I knew instantly that I had to do everything I could to convince this girl that I was the one. (Don’t tell her but she could probably do much better.) I knew from that very moment that I had to start making changes and start putting Randi before other activities. Our relationship was tested in such an extreme manner so early that it gave us this whole ‘there’s nothing we can’t overcome together’ type of attitude, which is an amazing quality for us to possess. I know that this girl counts on me, but she doesn’t count on me nearly as much as I count on her! So as it turns out, I was indeed able to convince her I was the one.”

And on their wedding day, in front of their family and friends, they committed to each other for a lifetime, a continuum, really, of their resolute choice to be together through good and bad, easy and difficult.

All these shades of pink and blush!!! It still makes me swoon.

Nate and Randi chose a first look, which just means they got a private (except for our cameras) moment to see each other. Not only is this really special, but it also means we could do all of their formal photos beforehand, freeing them up to enjoy cocktail hour with their friends.

Nate’s daughter, Taytem, loved being part of the wedding and was a trooper though so many pictures and all-day events and people!

While guests finished eating dinner, I snuck Randi & Nate outside for a few more portraits. We were only out for a few minutes, but I loved all that we were able to do in that short amount of time!

This beautiful, hand-lettered sign was by their dessert table and included the lyrics for their first dance song.